Disclaimer:-The plot is mine,however, I neither own nor earn anything from this story.Harry Potter and his world are the intellectual property of J.K. Rowling and her affiliates.

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A/N:- This chapter has been abridged to remain within the M rating of this site because of explicit sexual scenes in the original. Please visit AO3 to find the entire text of the chapter. A huge thank you to, Golden Asp, for her beta work.

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Chapter Three - All the time in the world.

Essentially the ball was over, and the hall was slowly emptying. Among the stragglers were Draco and Pansy, two of only several Slytherins still in residence. Severus vaguely remembered seeing them wrapped around one another in a corner somewhere some time back. He now watched as they wandered out arm in arm.

Draco caught Severus' eye and winked, so the raven-haired wizard knew what Draco had in mind, and since the Potions master was thinking similar thoughts, he didn't bother worrying about it. After all, they were no longer his students; he really didn't have any responsibility left other than making certain they were all right and it appeared that they were.

Glancing further he noticed Ronald Weasley, oblivious to the fact that Minerva was currently bearing down on him, and by the expression on her face, she was about to suggest pointedly that he take his amorous pursuits with Miss Brown somewhere more private.

Of course, there's still the matter of retaliation for that stupid remark, Severus thought,his eyes narrowed… and, Potter; now, he's got a bit more to pay for, and he smiled slyly. This is going to be such fun. Let him think his got away with it for the moment. I'll deal with him later, and his smirk increased.

However, searching around the room for Potter proved that he had obviously taken himself somewhere else already, because neither he nor Miss Weasley were anywhere to be seen. He was glad because the last thing he wanted for Hermione's sake was further trouble tonight from that little cretin.

Leaning his lips down to the woman in his arms, Severus murmured against her temple, "Time to go home, love," and he felt her arms cling tighter to him. "Come, maybe some supper before bed?"

The heat from his breath in her ear sent another gush of desire onto her now very ruined underwear, and Hermione nodded, still blushing prettily as they started towards the door.

xox

However, by the time they were along the hallway past the Potions classroom, all thoughts of refreshments had been forgotten. They had stopped several times for heated kisses, and every pause in their journey fuelled their passion and driving a now somewhat desperate need to find privacy very quickly.

Each dalliance along the way had been well hidden. There was no doubt Severus hadn't wanted a repeat of their entrance into the hall, and he was being very careful, even if this part of the castle was as good as deserted.

At present, Hermione was blissfully unaware of anything except the man currently sucking on her ear as she stood, backed into the last alcove before his office door. The cold wall pressing against her back and his heated body flush with her front felt delicious, and it added another log to the fire as Severus' mouth went back to devouring hers.

His tongue was sliding and twisting, exploring the warm cavern of her mouth, and the feel of his hands sliding over the smoothness of her dress were leaving trails of warm tingles where ever they touched, and it felt wonderful.

Panting slightly as he lifted his head, his thumbs continuing to stroke her. His delicious voice, hoarse with desire, encouraged, "Not far now," and they almost sprinted for his office door.

Once inside, Severus quickly tapped the bookcase behind his desk with his wand. A door Hermione had never seen before shimmered into existence and he ushered her through.

Not wanting to appear too eager to drag her straight to the bedroom, Severus steeled himself and offered the before mentioned supper. However, the heat coming from her eyes said no, and she advanced on him once more.

"I've waited all year for this moment. Just take me to bed, Severus."

"Well, never let it be said I argued," he chuckled, and with a growl he reached down and swept her off her feet.

Hermione squealed in delight as she was carried into the bedroom.

Placing her on her feet again, he took her in his arms and looked at her. "All right?"

Hermione nodded. She really was very anxious, but she wasn't about to admit it.

"Relax," Severus encouraged, "We'll go slowly."

Watching her square her shoulders and bob her head once, she reached for the zipper on her dress.

How very Gryffindor, Severus thought, they all do that when they're scared. "There's no reason to be apprehensive, dear one," he told her.

She swallowed hard and released her hold on the dress, feeling it slither down as Severus held her at arm's length. Even though she was still nervous she bravely stepped out of it as it pooled on the floor.

The raven-haired wizard allowed his eyes to drink in the sight of her; her matching lacy bustier and French cut knickers, black lace top stockings and those amazing red stilettos. "You are so beautiful," he whispered, pulling her against him, and their mouths met in an abandoned kiss, tongues wildly tangling as his hands swept her body from a more intimate stand point.

Hermione felt her knees starting to buckle, as blood rushed to the lower half of her body and an urgent need took hold. Severus chuckled and caught her up more securely. "No swooning now, my dear."

He placed her almost reverently on the bed so he could continue his attentions without fear she would collapse from the results.

Taking a moment to think about her reactions, and watching her heaving chest and still pretty flush, he was fairly sure that what he'd considered earlier might actually be true. Could this really be her first time? Surely not, I couldn't be that lucky, could I?

As if in answer to his unspoken question, a very flustered Hermione admitted, "I'm sorry, I haven't done this before."

Well no wonder she's nervous, that just added to the pressure didn't it? ButSeverus couldn't help the feral grin that spread across his face as the sly Slytherin entity within him punched the air in triumph regardless. So, all the take me to bed bravado was Gryffindor heroics as well, interesting… "There's no need to be anxious, my love, just relax and enjoy."

His words did manage to calm her more than he thought they would, although she swallowed hard before a very shaky hand rose to the buttons on his coat. "You have far more clothes on then me, that's not exactly fair," she admonished, trying to sound casual.

Severus merely plucked the rose from her hair, placed it in a conjured vase on the bedside table, raised an eyebrow, and started kissing where it had been nestled behind her ear. "Relax, Princess," he murmured before starting down her collar bone.

Eventually Hermione huffed in irritation at her fumbling useless fingers, and Severus chuckled darkly against her shoulder when he felt the tickle of her magic.

She pushed his robes, coat, vest, and shirt off his shoulders all in one go after having resorted to magic in her frustration at trying to undo his many buttons. "Well, there were so many buttons," she affirmed at his laugh, and encouraged him to shrug out of them.

This only left his unbuttoned trousers hanging decorously on his lean hips, "Is that so, my dear," he said with a grin, his eyebrow rising when he heard her shoes being flung to the floor.

Watching his hand slowly stroking the top of her breasts, he inhaled a breath of pure delight as he eased the material of her silky under garment down to release one, and then the other of her dusky-tipped breasts to his hungry gaze.

Her breasts looked lovely framed by the lacy crimson silk, and Hermione groaned and arched into his touch as his thumbs stroked over the nipples, drawing a hissed intake of air from her.

She was enraptured; her eyes on his face as her hands started exploring his scar striped back.

His skin was indeed alabaster—as she'd suspected—with a dusting of fine black hair, but the marks on its silkiness were cruel.

Severus felt her tense and he looked to her face. Her eyes were wide open and shining with tears. "I know I'm not pretty to look at." His words were murmured and laced with uncertainty, even though his eyes remained focused on her.

"No darling, I'm truly horrified to know how much you've suffered, but it also makes me love you more. They are a part of you, and you are beautiful to me," and she pulled his head down, gently gifting him with a kiss.

Severus was overcome by her response. This woman was accepting him scars and all, and his kiss in response was laced with the tenderness he felt and far more passion than he knew he possessed.

The Potions master had never allowed a woman to touch, or even see, his torso before. However, he knew this time it was different, and as painful as it was for him to reveal the marks, he did the right thing, and he was honest.

The gamble was a good one, because this beautiful creature—looking at him with such love in her eyes—accepted him. This sealed it. She was his partner, his equal, the woman who would one day be his wife, and dare he think it, bear his children.

Without further thought, Severus began his path of adoration down her body in earnest, knowing what he was thinking was true. Mine, his brain was thinking while kissing and licking her breasts. All. Mine!

Eventually, he released her completely from her bustier, and he was still having possessive thought as he took each nipple into his mouth in turn, making her arch into him and her hands bury themselves in his fine silky hair to keep his head there.

Hermione clung to him; she was all at sea. Never in her waking hours had she experienced such feeling, and his dark chuckle lit a path that scorched its way straight to her core. Then she moaned as she felt him continuing on his intimate journey down her body.

He felt her squirming impatiently under him as he kissed down her body, and he murmured playfully, "Patience, my sweet girl, all in good time," and he cackled when she groaned and tried to scoot up the bed so his lips were where she instinctively knew she wanted them.

He held her securely. "Uh, uh, uh; stay put, dearest." Then he outright laughed when she growled at him.

Finally, the tip of his tongue arrived at its destination, and she moaned in encouragement.

"Oh, you like that do you?" his voice whispered in a rough purr. "Well, let's get rid of these then," and grasping the top of her underwear, Severus removed it from her body, causing an abandoned squeal of surprise to leave her lips.

The very tip of Severus' tongue snaked out and he licked her, making her shudder wildly and sigh in delight. "Merlin you taste so sweet," he crooned, and he heard her giggle nervously at his words.

As he pleasured her, all she was capable of was writhing and panting on the bed as she gripped the green satin sheets tightly in her fisted hands.

Each movement of his fingers and tongue made her voice rose higher, and moments later his efforts made her still, but for her trembling legs, and howl his name as she flew apart for him, diving into that world where only sensation exists.

All Severus could think as he listened to her pleasure was, all mine, this beautiful creature is all mine.

Wiping his mouth discreetly he crawled back up to her, she opened her eyes slowly and smiled at him peacefully and he returned the expression and dipped his head kissing her hungrily.

The taste of herself on his lips was strange, but so erotic, but then all of a sudden he was gone. Hermione's eyes opened in almost panic when she felt herself suddenly alone. Coldness surrounded her, but she breathed a sigh of relief she turned her head to where she heard movement, and saw Severus toeing off his boots and socks.

Then her eyes opened wide as they followed the line of black hair revealed by his already low slung trousers, and she gasped in delight at the sight that met her eyes, and she saw his eyes watching her for her reaction and she smiled at him.

Hermione giggled and tentatively her hand scooted forward to caress him, as he jumped to a kneeling position between her legs. "I've never seen one before," she gushed. The words were out of her mouth before she'd thought, but then her hand stilled its progress and her lip slipped between her teeth as she wondered if she'd said the wrong thing.

"No, dear one, touch me," Severus urged thrusting his hips forward a little, and he hissed as he felt her small hand tentatively encircle his girth and start stroking and exploring him. "That's it," he encouraged, "you'll become bolder in time, my little lioness," he replied, his voice a mere purr.

It made her laugh gaily. "I will be bold," she told him glancing up at him earnestly, as she lowered her head to him. He moaned at the feel of her lips on him, and she took it as a sign of encouragement.

Severus shivered and groaned as her mouth moved on him. He knew he wasn't going to last long at this rate, and he accioed his wand. He whispered a contraceptive spell before he got carried away, and lay back watching her exploring him. However, soon the moans of pleasure she was producing as she did it were sending delicious vibration through him, and it all quickly became too much.

"Severus?" All of a sudden Hermione felt his hands pushing her away. "Please, I like doing this, have I done something wrong?"

"No, Princess, you were perfect," and his lips caressed hers as he gently pushed her back against the pillows. "I want to make you mine for always," he avowed vehemently, and claimed her lips again.

All he heard as he engulfed her mouth was her husky moan of affirmation, and he started claiming her. It wasn't long and he came up against her barrier, and he knew that there was no other way. "I'm sorry, Princess, this may hurt," he whispered against her mouth. "But I promise that pain will pass."

Hermione knew what he was saying. "Don't be sorry, love," she told him. "I've waited a long time for you," she assured him.

Severus kissed her. "I love you," he whispered, but her answer was lost in the passion of their wild kiss as he curled his hands up under her and around her shoulders, then pulling back he thrust into her in one long stroke, fully seating himself.

He stilled, feeling her tense at the pain, and hearing her attempting to stifle the tiny sob that flowed forth involuntarily by biting down on her lip. He caressed her face and kissed away her tears, murmuring reassuring words of love to her as he tentatively started moving.

Hermione found what Severus had said was correct, and after the initial pain, other sensations were taking over and dulling its sting. She was now consumed by an ache that seemed to be growing, heralding something amazing. She started to become aware that something was starting to bloom inside her; it was sitting there growing, just waiting for Severus to make it happen. "Severus," she whispered almost urgently.

The sound of his name falling from her lips with each of his little movements almost made him lose right then, and Severus gritted his teeth and stilled to calm himself for a moment before he started moving again. Speeding up he established a steady rhythm.

It wasn't long before the pain was completely forgotten and Hermione started moving instinctively with him. Then she seemed to be tottering and trembling on the edge of an abyss, and once more her groans and whimpers became more insistent.

Severus murmured words in her ear in his hot breath. "Let go, love, I'm right here with you," he panted, grunting with each push.

He felt her muscles contract and she screeched his name as the building sensation exploded within her. Almost psychedelic sensations took over, and she was clamping down so hard on the shaft causing her such pleasure, and Severus had no choice but to follow her over the edge, grunting his satisfaction in a string of oaths as his seed was thrust deep into her warm body.

Not wanting to collapse on her and crush her, Severus managed to land beside her and roll, pulling her into his arms and up on top of his heaving chest. Once he got his breath and heartbeat under control his eyes focused on her lying limply on his chest and he kissed her languidly, "I love you, and you are mine."

After the kiss Hermione smiled at him caressing his face tiredly. "That's all I've ever wanted. I love you too."

He held her close to him, and after a cleansing spell, he summoned the quilt to cover them. As they both drifted off into sated sleep, Hermione's last thought was that tonight had far surpassed her expectations.

xox

The next morning Hermione woke disorientated, and for the first time with steady breathing behind her, but then remembrance started to drift back into place, and she sighed happily and snuggled into the man behind her.

"Ah, so you're awake, my love," his still sleepy voice rumbled softly in her ear, while his hands started roaming over her, sliding down over her stomach to stroke her curls teasingly. "Are you sore?" he asked.

Hermione felt playful fingers drawing light circles through the hair at the apex of her thighs, and she instantly wanted him again, but she answered truthfully. "Maybe a little," she conceded, and stretched cat-like to give him more room, but suddenly cringed. "Ouch, maybe a lot," she rectified.

Instantly the hand was gone. "It's understandable. You remain right there," and Severus kissed her shoulder before sliding out of bed, and almost strutted into the bathroom.

Hermione watched him with a grin on her face. Her eyes devoured his naked body as he walked back to her with his equipment at half-mast.

"What are you grinning about, little lioness?"

"The view," she replied waggling her eyebrows.

"Here, cheeky, drink this," he said cackling. "Would you like tea of coffee?"

"I believe I'd like you, actually," was her saucy answer, even as she grimaced to sit up and drink the healing potion he'd handed her.

Severus kissed the top of her head. "I believe that you best settle for the more traditional morning beverages while that potion does its work."

Hermione giggled. "Then coffee, please."

Smiling Severus said, "I'll be right back. The bathroom is through there if you need it," he said, pointing to the door he'd just come out of while picking up a black silk robe.

It wasn't long and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifted into the bedroom. Hermione inhaled deeply, and placing her wand on the bedside table climbed back into bed.

The delicious bouquet was soon followed by the equally delectable image of Severus entering with a tray floating in front of him containing a steaming coffee pot, mugs, milk, and sugar.

He placed it on the bedside table, "Excuse me a moment," he said, after preparing the mugs and handed her hers, and he headed for the bathroom as well.

As he climbed back into bed, Hermione pursed her lips. "I've been thinking," she started.

"Indeed, by the look on your face, I suspect I'll like what you're about to tell me," he chuckled.

"Well, you were right last night," and she watched as his eyebrow rose, but she took a sip of coffee before she answered and she literally melted. "Oh, sweet Merlin, Severus, this is amazing coffee. Do you brew this every morning?"

"Yes," he chuckled at her incredulous expression. "I'm very fussy about my first mug of the morning."

"Wow, I can't wait to find out what else you're good at."

He leaned over and kissed her. "I'm certain it will be an adventure for both of us. Now what were you going to say?"

"Oh yes, Harry and Ron," and she watched his lip curl into a scowl.

"Now there are two names I don not ever want to hear in our bedroom again," he declared sniffing.

Hermione's stomach did a little flip at him referring to this bedroom as theirs, but she continued on. "You might change your mind when you find out what I've got to say," she said smirking, watching his expression turn into a question. "Last night you said their punishment would be at my discretion."

"Indeed?"

"Well, I have a plan."

"Go on," he murmured, wondering if her devious expression would live up to his expectations.

"Well, I've been told by a certain Potions master of my acquaintance," and she rubbed the arm slung around her shoulder, "that the only smell worse than bubotuber pus is flobberworm excrement." She took a deep breath, "There is a farm near Ottery St. Catchpole, isn't there?"

Severus nodded, and she smiled as she continued. "And it's true that a specific process, which includes a potion, that you alone hold the patent to is required to remove the… err smell?" Another nod to the affirmative. "Well," and Hermione drew the word out then explained what she had in mind to him and his smile grew exponentially.

His grin finally reaching the proportions of manic, and he said, "That is a truly Slytherin plan, Princess. It's perfect," he declared finally, and kissed her soundly. "Monday morning—after I've inducted you as an honorary member of Slytherin house, for planning and deception far and above the call of a Gryffindor—I'll organise it."

Hermione's tinkling laughter echoed around the bedroom as the remains of their coffee vanished and she was pulled down the bed. "If you're feeling better, then I think it's time for some fun before breakfast," Severus announced to her enthusiastic nods of approval.

However, their fun ended abruptly when Severus' usual wake up alarm told him in no uncertain terms that he should get his lazy arse out of bed. He glared at the talking clock on his bedside table and went for his wand.

Hermione, who had been cackling heartily at the rude clocks words, then broke up completely when he swore, scowled and hexed the time piece into oblivion before returning his attentions to her.